The Dubrovnik Tourist Board is once again organizing Gourmet Days to celebrate International Women’s Day. From March 6 to 9, a selection of Dubrovnik’s restaurants will offer special menus inspired by seasonal ingredients, local delicacies, and creative culinary interpretations.

Participating restaurants include:

Academia Restaurant, Amfora Restaurant, Art Restaurant Renaissance, Konoba Belvedere, Bistro 49, Bistro Bacchus, Blidinje Restaurant, Bokar Restaurant, Bota Šare Oyster & Sushi Bar, Dundo Maroje Restaurant, Guloso Restaurant, Gusta Me Restaurant, Hard Rock Cafe Dubrovnik, Lucin Kantun, Marangun Restaurant, Orsan Restaurant, Taj Mahal – Hotel Lero, Taj Mahal – Old Town, and Urban & Veggie.

The full offer can be found at the provided link

In addition to this rich gastronomic experience, a charity concert by Hari Rončević will take place on March 8 at 8 PM at Marin Držić Theatre, organized by the Dubrovnik Tourist Board. This musical event also serves a noble cause—all proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Dva skalina association, which supports children with developmental difficulties.

"We invite all locals and visitors to join us in celebrating International Women’s Day, enjoying exquisite gastronomic delights and a special musical program," states the Dubrovnik Tourist Board. 

For more information, visit the Dubrovnik Tourist Board website.

Last weekend was one of those days in Dubrovnik that travel brochures dream of. The sky was a perfect, uninterrupted blue, the kind that makes you wonder why on earth this city isn’t bursting at the seams with visitors.

The temperature hovered at that Goldilocks-perfect level—neither too hot nor too cold, just right. A light sea breeze drifted through the streets, gently reminding you that the Adriatic is still very much a presence, even when the beaches lie abandoned.

It was, by all accounts, an ideal day to experience Dubrovnik.

You would think that with such glorious weather, a simple pleasure like sipping coffee in the sun would be easy.

Not so.

The hunt for an open café felt more like an episode of Mission Impossible, with each shuttered door adding another level of frustration. A few scattered tourists drifted through the city—lonely wanderers, independent travelers, the true adventurers of our time.

They weren’t here on a package holiday, nor had they been herded off a cruise ship like disoriented cattle. No, these were the brave few who had decided to visit Dubrovnik outside of the designated, socially acceptable time frame.

And what did we do to reward their intrepid spirit? We closed almost everything.

I have written about this issue before. Many, many times. Too many times. And yet here we are again. Dubrovnik is, without question, one of the most spectacular places to visit in the world. It is a city with history, charm, beauty, and (as proven yesterday) a climate that can make even February feel like a gift.

And yet, when winter arrives, we act as if the entire tourism industry has been placed in hibernation. There is a strange stubbornness here, a refusal to acknowledge that tourism can exist outside of July and August. It’s as if the entire city has collectively decided that unless people are sweating their way through the city walls and paying extortionate prices for bottled water, they do not count as real tourists.

Every year, we hear grand promises about developing winter tourism. We get strategic plans, discussions, roundtable meetings—all the usual performances. And then?

Then we get one or two brave hotels staying open and a handful of restaurants that begrudgingly serve customers. The truth is, winter tourism requires effort. It requires a shift in mindset, a willingness to adapt.

It requires things like—oh, I don’t know—keeping a few more cafés open? Perhaps even acknowledging that not all tourists want to experience Dubrovnik as a sweaty, overcrowded theme park?

The thing is, Dubrovnik in winter is incredible. It’s the city stripped back to its essentials. The beauty is the same, the history is the same, but there is space to breathe, to explore, to truly take it all in.

You can walk the city walls without feeling like you are part of an overambitious Everest expedition. You can stroll along Stradun and hear your own footsteps. You can visit historical sites without needing to elbow someone out of the way. And then, on a day like last weekend, you can sit in the sun, sip a coffee (if you can find one), and wonder why on earth more people aren’t here doing the exact same thing.

Here’s the thing.

If Dubrovnik really wanted winter tourism, we would have it. We have the weather. We have the history. We have the infrastructure. What we don’t have is the will. Because while everyone talks about how great it would be to have a year-round economy, the reality is that many businesses prefer the feast-or-famine approach.

Work non-stop for six months, then close down and disappear.

It’s a cycle that repeats year after year, with no real attempt to change it. So, what will happen next? Well, the season will roll around again. The city will wake up from its self-imposed winter slumber. The first wave of tourists will arrive, blinking in the spring sunlight, and Dubrovnik will act as if they are the first visitors to ever set foot here.

And all of this—this beautiful, silent, underutilized city—will be forgotten until next winter, when someone (probably me) will write another article asking why, once again, we refuse to embrace what is right in front of us.

As the great French novelist Marcel Proust once wrote "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." We could do with some fresh eyes.

Read more Englishman in Dubrovnik…well, if you really want to

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About the author

Mark Thomas (aka Englez u Dubrovniku) is the editor of The Dubrovnik Times. He was born and educated in the UK and moved to live in Dubrovnik in 1998. He works across a whole range of media, from a daily radio show to TV and in print. Thomas is fluent in Croatian and this column is available in Croatia on the website – Dubrovnik Vjesnik

Dubrovnik has once again solidified its reputation as a top-tier destination for meetings and events, earning the prestigious Meetings Star Award in the ‘M’ category for destinations accommodating up to 1,200 participants. The award was presented at the Conventa trade show in Ljubljana, Slovenia, marking an impressive 15th consecutive win for the city.

About the Meetings Star Award

Organized by Kongres Magazine, the Meetings Star Award is a highly respected accolade within the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry. Destinations across Central and Southeastern Europe are evaluated based on the Meeting Experience Index, which includes 75 rigorous criteria assessing infrastructure, accessibility, and service quality.

The award panel praised Dubrovnik as an “undisputed leader in regional tourism” and a preferred choice for event organizers. They further highlighted that “Dubrovnik ages like fine wine and continues to outshine the competition,” underscoring the city’s ability to adapt and excel in the dynamic MICE landscape.

The European Union declared on Friday its steadfast support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following his confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump and his abrupt departure from a meeting at the White House, reports HRT 

The long-anticipated meeting between the presidents of Ukraine and the United States, initially seen as a potential step toward peace, ended in a heated exchange, the cancellation of a mineral agreement, and what some described as compelling television. From Brussels, EU leaders reassured Zelensky: "You will never be alone."

Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.

Be strong, be brave, be fearless.
You are never alone, dear President @ZelenskyyUa.

We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 28, 2025

"Be strong, be brave, be fearless. We will continue working with you toward a just and lasting peace," read a joint statement on X from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas emphasized the shifting global landscape, stating that "it has become clear that the free world needs a new leader."

"We will increase our support for Ukraine so it can continue to push back against the aggressor. Today, it is clear that the free world needs new leadership. It is up to us Europeans to rise to this challenge," she wrote.

For centuries, the Mali Ston oyster has captivated gastronomes from around the world. From Emperor Franz Joseph to the present day, Ostrea edulis has remained an irresistible delicacy. Naturally, as befits a true queen, it is rare and exclusive, available only in limited quantities.

March is the time of year when the oysters are at their peak—fully matured, plump, and at their most flavorful. This year, restaurants Bota Šare are presenting them in a unique pairing. For the first time ever, Mali Ston oysters will be served alongside the Don Paloma Adriatica cocktail, a signature creation by Bota featuring the finest flavors of Dubrovnik’s coastal region. Lavender, grapefruit, and the famous Ston salt blend harmoniously into the cocktail, bringing an entirely new and unexplored dimension to the oyster experience. This is a fresh journey in taste, designed for a new era.

The combination of this exquisite seafood and one of the world’s most sought-after refreshing cocktails is sure to be love at first sip. Don Julio Tequila, particularly the Don Julio Blanco, forms the heart of this cocktail. What makes it extraordinary is the carefully selected blue agave, hand-harvested and meticulously processed. The precise distillation process results in a smooth, silky tequila with distinct citrus and agave notes, perfectly complementing the drink—and the oysters.

For generations, the Šare family has honored Mali Ston’s oyster season in their restaurants in Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, and, of course, Mali Ston itself. The journey of an oyster to the table is far from simple—it takes three challenging years to grow. These living organisms create a unique microclimate in the stomach when consumed. Despite their rough appearance, they rank high in nutritional value and are a true gastronomic delight. Eating 5 to 6 medium-sized oysters five to seven times per month provides enough omega-3 fatty acids for optimal human health. Oysters are also rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, and D, essential amino acids, and minerals—six oysters contain 32 mg of zinc, about 291% of the recommended daily intake.

Now, with the Don Paloma Adriatica cocktail—crafted in collaboration with one of the world’s most prestigious tequila brands, Don Julio—Bota is serving its renowned oysters in a variety of ways. Enjoy them fresh, in a magical soup, grilled to perfection, or in a crispy tempura.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković voiced his support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday following Zelensky’s clash with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, emphasizing that only a "just peace can endure."

“Croatia knows from its own experience that only a just peace can last,” Plenković wrote on X.

In the Oval Office, Zelensky urged Trump not to make "compromises with a murderer," referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin, reports N1 

“The Croatian government firmly believes that Ukraine needs such a peace—a peace that ensures sovereignty, territorial integrity, and a secure Europe,” Plenković added.

The highly anticipated meeting between the Ukrainian and U.S. presidents, initially seen as a potential step toward peace, ended on Friday in an open confrontation between the two leaders, with the signing of a mineral agreement being canceled.

Croatia knows from its own experience that only a just peace can last. The Croatian Government stands firm in its belief that Ukraine needs such a peace - a peace that means sovereignty, territorial integrity, and a secure Europe.
???????????????? @ZelenskyyUa

— Andrej Plenković (@AndrejPlenkovic) February 28, 2025

Croatia Airlines recorded a loss of €19.6 million for the past year, according to the recently released financial report. In 2024, the airline's operating loss amounted to €16 million, while the total loss, after factoring in net financing results, reached €19.6 million. The previous year, the airline had reported a net profit of €2.3 million.

Total revenue in 2024 stood at €268.5 million, marking a 1.8% increase compared to the previous year. However, expenses surged by 10%, reaching €287.9 million.

During the past year, Croatia Airlines transported 1,838,609 passengers, reflecting a 6% rise compared to 2023, reports N1

The company explained that its financial results were impacted by operational and financial challenges tied to the transition period of its aircraft fleet replacement program. Croatia Airlines anticipated financial losses during this transition phase.

The airline also pointed to significant cost pressures stemming from factors beyond its control. One major issue was the repeated delays in the delivery of two new Airbus A220 aircraft, which were initially scheduled to arrive before the start of the 2024 summer season. The prolonged delays required adjustments to operational activities related to their reception.

The first Airbus A220 entered commercial service on August 6, 2024, while the second aircraft completed its first flight on December 27.

Additionally, the airline faced extended maintenance schedules for its Airbus and Q400 fleet, further complicating operations.

Delays in aircraft deliveries and prolonged maintenance work necessitated the short-term leasing of significantly more expensive aircraft (wet lease) to maintain scheduled flights, retain airport slots, and preserve passenger trust, the financial report stated.

During today’s session of the Dubrovnik City Council, councilor Željko Raguž (DULIST) raised a question regarding the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. He expressed dissatisfaction that actors from outside the city receive financial compensation, while Dubrovnik-based actors do not receive the same benefits, reports Dubrovacki Vjesnik

Mayor Mato Franković stated that last year’s festival shone in full splendor. He praised the 75th edition of the festival, highlighted the play Equinox and Zrinka Cvitešić’s performance, and expressed happiness over the involvement of the Marin Držić Theatre. He also declared that director Paolo Tišljarić had done an amazing job.

Franković further revealed that negotiations were nearing completion with a major international musician, promising a mega spectacle unlike anything the city has seen before. He emphasized that he would bring this event to fruition as mayor.